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Lee Romano Sequeira
October 2026
NCCU OPENS NATION’S FIRST AI INSTITUTE BUILDING AT AN HBCU
The Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Research (IAIER) at North Carolina Central University now has a home. On Aug. 10, 2026, the ribbon was cut for the first artificial intelligence institute established by a historically Black college or university (HBCU). The roughly 5,000-square foot building cost $7.2 million and was funded with a mix of federal Title III grant funding and NCCU trust funds.
The Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Research (IAIER) is a cutting-edge center for artificial intelligence education, research, and innovation. Designed to advance interdisciplinary collaboration, IAIER leverages AI to address complex societal, economic, and technological challenges.
IAIER was formally approved by the North Carolina Central University Board of Trustees on December 17, 2025, following a comprehensive institutional review process. With this approval, IAIER stands as a pioneering AI institute at a Historically Black College and University and a leading contributor to North Carolina’s innovation and workforce ecosystem.
Inside, a central space for collaboration is surrounded by the AI Literacy Studio, Machine Learning and Data Science Studio, Robotics and Emerging Tech Lab, XR Innovation Sandbox, Ethics and Governance Classroom and Innovation Atrium.
Today, we are establishing a framework, a blueprint and a launching point for what ethical, responsible and human-centered artificial intelligence can look like in higher education and beyond,” said Siobahn Grady, Ph.D., founding director of IAIER.
“Artificial intelligence is transforming nearly every industry,” said Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon, Ed.D. “We want to not only prepare students but help them shape AI.”
U.S. Congresswoman Valerie Foushee agreed with those sentiments. “Our future cannot be built by a few tech moguls and billionaires,” said Foushee, “The breakthroughs of tomorrow will not just be from Silicon Valley and the largest universities.”
The opening of the IAIER building continues the ramping up of AI education at NCCU.
Starting in fall 2025, a module was added to the mandatory Introduction to University Education class for all freshmen. Starting in fall 2026, a minor in AI will be offered through the NCCU Department of Mathematics and Physics.
For more information go here:
https://www.nccu.edu/news/nccu-opens-nations-first-ai-institute-building-hbcu
https://www.nccu.edu/research/institutes-and-special-facilities/iaier
This article printed with the permission of North Carolina Central University
and is sponsored by Lee Romano Sequeira of OfftheVinePr
our Community Representative in Northeast Durham.